Press accreditation for LM 2011?

[Carse]

Hi all,

I'll be working for a specialist press website while I'm out in Le Mans but through a collection of unfortunate circumstances (only knew late on I'd be able to go and website I'm working for is newly launched) I've left it a bit late to register for accreditation.

I understand that it's a long shot but I've seen threads on here before about photographer accreditation so I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me out with advice or even a contact? (sorry for being cheeky).

I've already emailed the A.C.O. but haven't heard anything back yet. What do you reckon the chances of pitching up to the Expo with my Guild of Motoring Writers card or an NUJ card are?

Any responses would be greatly appreciated from those in the know.

Thanks again.

Carse

[Yakuncha]

Originally Posted by Carse

Hi all,

I'll be working for a specialist press website while I'm out in Le Mans but through a collection of unfortunate circumstances (only knew late on I'd be able to go and website I'm working for is newly launched) I've left it a bit late to register for accreditation.

I understand that it's a long shot but I've seen threads on here before about photographer accreditation so I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me out with advice or even a contact? (sorry for being cheeky).

I've already emailed the A.C.O. but haven't heard anything back yet. What do you reckon the chances of pitching up to the Expo with my Guild of Motoring Writers card or an NUJ card are?

Any responses would be greatly appreciated from those in the know.

Thanks again.

Carse

If you dont have public liability insurance forget any chance of getting ontrack or near the pits when the track is live. Also if you dont have any previous printed work about LM your chances are slim.

Guild of Motoring Writers card or an NUJ card will get you a blank stare.

It also helps if you are French, and even if you know someone it is difficult

Last year some people standing in the public areas with their cameras wouldnt have looked out of place in media jackets - its the only event Ive ever been to where the photographers in the public areas had better equipment than some people who had accreditation! Makes my blood boil when you see people wearing media coats with entry level SLR's/kit lenses or even bridge cameras. Apparantley at the test day this year there was a 'media patrol' to see what equipment photographers were using, so this should weed a few out.

[andrewc]

If the 'pro' is getting the results his or her publishers require with 'lesser' equipment, who is to say that they do not deserve their place over another simply because they are not lugging around the equivalent of the national debt of Guatemala in terms of equipment cost?

Its not necessarily what you carry, more how you use it.

Unless you're particularly famous, being able to effectively blag your way into a press tabard at Le Mans is unlikely.

[Piglet]

Ideally you want to repost this or get a mod to move it to the Photography section where you'll probably reach people who may have some experience.

IME you have somewhere around nil chance of achieving this now and as said your chances of getting accredited for a newly launched website are pretty slim anyway, even if you had applied in the right timescale. Many press applications for LM are rejected.

Ask on the photography section though, Mike Hoyer and others will be able to give you their views.

[Tim the Grey]

My son got his accreditation through about 2 weeks back, for his website, that's been up for around 2 years. Only for him, the other guy who applied was turned down.
I suspect they are looking for longevity from websites?

Anyway, you missed the deadline, as it closed about a month back, if not more.

[Carse]

I know I've missed the dealine. They have approved my media account I just can't put any details in to approve myself now. Out of interest, what's your son's website?

Carse

[GT6]

Originally Posted by Carse

I know I've missed the dealine. They have approved my media account I just can't put any details in to approve myself now. Out of interest, what's your son's website?

Carse

I was talking to Tim and his son at the racing hotel at spa and he was showing me the website, well worth a look if you like sportscar racing

http://lendurance.co.uk

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by GT6

I was talking to Tim and his son at the racing hotel at spa and he was showing me the website, well worth a look if you like sportscar racing

http://lendurance.co.uk

Aha, all becomes clear... So it was "Tim the Grey" that I read on twitter that on the journey to Spa had crashed his motorcar into the channel tunnel (or something)

[GT6]

Yep he was telling us about that as well, lucky for us the tunnel remained open, but his polo took a bit of a knock but they still got there and had a good time.

[Aysedasi]

It does seem sensible to move this over to the Photography section for further observations - I'll leave a redirect in the LM sub-forum.

[Carse]

Thanks for the move, and thanks to everyone who's replied - looks like it'll have to be next year, although, I will be at Autosport next week so does anyone know if you have an approved account before the deadline can you still add accreditations? I'm pretty sure I know the answer though.

Thanks again for all your help and advice.

Carse.

[Yakuncha]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

My son got his accreditation through about 2 weeks back, for his website, that's been up for around 2 years. Only for him, the other guy who applied was turned down.
I suspect they are looking for longevity from websites?

Not really - its probably a lot to do with the 'sponsor' he wont stop going on about

They have to be selective, otherwise everyone with the fancy gear in the stands would be trackside, a bit like many historic meetings these days with the exception of Goodwood. Being French they are fussy and still recognise printed media as king. Anyone can post a photograph on the internet but it still takes a lot to get a photograph published on paper.

I didnt bother with Le Mans this year for the above reason, I had to jump through plenty of hoops to get a pass for the ILMC at Spa and then had to resubmit certain information over the weekend which I had sent with my original application, laborious!

[MikeHoyer]

I think your best course of action is to learn to speak French very quickly (if you can't already!), phone them, and see what they say.

I can almost guarentee it will be a no though, this is a big international event with no doubt hundreds of people applying, many of who will be chancers, so they will want it all sorted well before the event.

Be prepared for a no this time though, it's hard enough convincing them when you work for a big agency if you miss a year or two!

[Carse]

I thought that was going to be the answer to be honest but just thought I'd ask on here for advice/experiences.

Thanks to everyone who's replied for their help though and I hope you all enjoy your time in Le Mans - I won't mention anything about the weather so I don't tempt fate!

Cheers

Carse

[jimmie]

Originally Posted by Yakuncha

Apparantley at the test day this year there was a 'media patrol' to see what equipment photographers were using, so this should weed a few out.

with all due respect, that sounds like total nonsense

the ACO or any other body have no interest in what your equipment is, they only care how much publicity you can give their race and sponsors.
Otherwise, the accreditation form wouldnt ask what the media outlets circulation is it would ask how big your lens is!